Jute is called golden fiber. Jute is the tradition of Bengal. We have a successful history involved in this industry and we have our own identity. The jute industry has been glorious in the economy of this country for many years. Both gold and silver sticks have a lot of potential. Our Adam JI Jute Mill was recognized as the largest jute mill in the world. Jute in Bangladesh was better and more popular than other jute producing countries in the world. From time immemorial our jute industry has been the main driving force of the economy. Jute was once the main tool for earning foreign exchange. Even a couple of years after independence, the glory of our jute industry was intact.
Bangladesh ($158M) remains the largest jute supplier worldwide, comprising 74% of global exports. The land and climate of Bangladesh are very suitable for jute cultivation. In the 90’s, jute was produced in 12 lakh hectares of land in this country. Gradually, the amount of jute land has been reduced and jute has been cultivated in 4 or 4 lakh hectares of land for 30-40 years. Later, due to environmental awareness and realization of the need for natural fiber, the amount of that land has increased to 7-8 lakhs.
However, due to the use of relatively advanced technology, production has increased. Whereas earlier 60-65 lakh bales of jute could be obtained from 12 lakh hectares of land, now only about 64 lakh bales of jute are available in only 6-7 lakh hectares of land. Bangladeshi raw jute, jute products are mainly exported to India, Pakistan, China, Europe, Ivory Coast, Thailand, Turkey, Iran, America, Syria, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Sudan, Ghana and some other countries.
At present, when the export earnings of the most important sectors including garments, textiles and leather industry have collapsed due to Covid-19, our jute exports get a touch of development. In July-August of FY 2020-21, Bangladesh earned 195.4 million from jute and jute products, which is 50 percent more than the same period of the previous year. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh earned 391 million by exporting various products in the first month of the current financial year 2020-21, i.e. in July, of which 103.51 million came from jute and jute products exports.
The jute industry is closely related to our culture. This art is our pride. This industry is the hallmark of Bangladesh in the world. The importance of jute industry in employment, earning money, alleviating poverty, earning foreign exchange, economic development and above all in preserving the heritage and identity of this country is undeniable.
When the whole world is crushed under the feet of modernity, when the environment is on the verge of destruction due to pollution, then proper use of jute industry can save us from many horrors of the near future.
We have to revive this industry through vigilant vision and effective measures of the government and bring back our glorious heritage, this jute industry which has its own identity.
